Bag-holder.



F. c. VONDERAHE BAG HOLDER.

APPLICATION HLED AUG. H, 1915.

1,1 86,714. Patented Juhe.13,'1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH :0. WASHINGTON. n. c.

F. C. VONDERAHE. BAG HOLDER.

APPLICAHON FILED AUG.H, I915. 1,186,7141. I Patented June 13, 1916.

2 $HEETSSHEET 2.

,1 [a O @i I I Z? \VITNESSES: INVENTOR FREDERICK C. VONDERAI-IE, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

BAG-HOLDER.

Application filed August 11, 1915.

.June 3, 191%, to use in connection with sorting tables, I have found 1t necessary to vary the construction in order to obtain an ellicient operation and a compact arrangement of the same. For instance, the eccentric lever shown in my former device for adjusting the width of the bag holding arms interferes with a side by side arrangement of a plurality of bag holders attached to a sorting table. The upwardly projecting abutment or stop device employed in connection with the resilient pivotal mounting shown therein prevents also a close connection of the holders beneath the floor of the table.

Accordingly, the object of my present invention is to simplify and improve the construction andv operation of a device of the character indicated in a manner to adapt it to use on a sorting table. I accomplish this object by a rearrangement and simplification of the spacing bar between the springpressed bag holding arms whereby the eccentric adjusting lever heretofore employed may be dispensed with, and an improved and simplified pivotal mounting for the arms whereby all upwardly projecting parts are eliminated and means are provided for adjusting the elevation of the free ends of the arms.

One form which my invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a plan view of a sorting table having a plurality of bag holding devices embodying my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the bag holder, with the floor removed. Fig. 3 is a detail side view of the bag holder.

Referring in detail to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have illustrated in connection with my bag holder a sorting table comprising a floor, frame and legs 10, 11 and 12, respectively; the floor being provided with two feed chutes 13 and Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1916.

Serial No. 45,005.

14. The bag holder shown comprises a pair of curved spring arms 15, connected to the central curved portion of which is a rearwardly extending hinge plate which is pivoted in bearings 17 attached to the frame of the table adjacent to the under surface of the floor. The hinge plate has a down wardly extending portion 18, between which and the frame is fastened an eXpansible coil spring 19, and carries also a limiting chain 20, adjustably connected to a hook 21, or similar device, attached to the frame, which serves positively tolimit the upward movement of the arms and permits adjustment of the elevation of the free ends of said arms to various positions.

The spacing bar 22 employed between the arms I pivot at one end to a block 23, eX- tending inwardly from one of the arms, and provide a sliding connection for the other end of the bar in a loop 24 carried on the other arm. The end of the bar adjacent to the loop is provided on its rear edge with a plurality of spaced notches 25 cooperating with the loop and yieldingly held in engagement therewith by a contractile coil spring 26, connected to the bar adjacent to its pivot and to the adjacent arm rearwardly thereof. A fixed pin 27 on the end of the bar, adapted to engage with the loop, limits the outward movement of the arms, while the notches and loop serve to provide adjustable means for holding the arms within the limit ofthe movement permitted by the stop pin. Jaw plates 28, on the ends of the arms, engage with themouth of a bag and hold the same in place under the eXpansible action of the spring arms.

A torsion spring 29 is attached centrally on the spacing bar with its ends 30 project ing downwardly in position to be engaged by the mouth of the bag carried upon the. jaws 28. In placing a bag in position on the holder, it will be understood that the arms are moved inwardly and so held by engagement of one of the notches 25 with the loop 24, thereby to facilitate the placement of the bag upon the jaws. With the bag in place, the spring ends 30 are projected within, and a movement of the bag upon the jaws, acting through the spring ends 30, causes the spacing bar to be drawn forward, releasing the notch from its engagement with the loop and allowing the bag holding arms to fly outwardly under their own tension. The bag will thereupon be tightly gripped by the jaws and securely held in place upon the arms. To remove the bag, sufficient force is applied to the arm ends to move them toward each other where a notch on the spacing bar will engage with the loop and relieve the pressure of the jaws from the bag. The operation, obviously, is exceedingly simple and efiicient.

It will be noted in this construction that I employ no parts projecting above the holding arms and, by reason thereof, I am enabled to place the devices upon a sorting table in close engagement with the under surface of the floor thereof, as is desirable to prevent spilling of the material being fed to the bags. Moreover, one, side, at least, of the holding arms is free of projecting parts, such as adjusting levers, and on account. of this, I can arrange two holders side by side, as

shown, upon a double sorting table in such proximity that their adjacent arms will almost contact when in expanded positions. To control the adjustment of the spacing bar, it is not necessary to have access to either side of the arms; the entire manipulation being accomplished by an operator standing in front of the holders. The resilient pivotal mounting I provide 'for the holder relieves the strain upon the bag, al-

lowing the bottom thereof to rest upon the ground at all times while-being filled. The hinged construction'in the pivotal mounting permits of the use of a limiting chain,

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. A bag holder comprising a semicircular, horizontally disposed member forming a pair ofbag-holding arms spring pressed outwardly, gripping jaws on the ends of said arms to receive a bag, a spacing bar extending between said arms in the rear of Gopies of this patent may be obtained for the jaws and pivoted atone end to one of said arms, a keeper on the other arm to slidably receive the otherend of said spacing bar, said bar on its slidable end being provided with ratchet teeth'to cooperate with the keeper to positively lock said arms against outward movement, and yielding means for retaining said bar and keeper in locked engagement whereby, when the bagholding arms are moved inwardly, they may 7 be automatically locked in various positions of adjustment.

2. In a bag holder, a pair of bag holding arms spring-pressed outwardly, a spacing bar between said arms, means on said bar acting automatically tolock said arms in various positions of adjustment-as they are moved inwardly, and means operated by movement'ofa bag on the holde'r for releas= ing said lockingmeans.

I 3. In a bag holder, a palrof bag holding arms spring-pressed outwardly, a spacingbar between them pivoted atone end and slidably connected at the other, said bar having adjustable one way, locking connections on itsslidable end, yielding means-for retaining the bar and arm in locked engagement, and means on the spacing bar engage able by a bag onthe holding arms for dis connecting said locked parts when the bag is pulled forwardly on the holder;

4. Ina bag holder, a pair of holding rms and a resilient pivotal support therefor, said resilient pivotal support comprising a supporting member, a hinge plate rigidwith the arms and pivoted to and projecting below the supporting member, and a compression spring lying between a downward extension on the plate and the supporting member.

5. I In a bag holder, a pair of holding arms and a resilient pivotal supporttherefor, said resilient pivotal support comprising a supporting member, a hinge plate rigid with the arms and pivoted to the supporting mem-,

her, a cushion spring lying between a downward extension on the plate and the supporting member, and means for adj ustably limiting the distance between the downward extension and the support. 7

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK C. VONDERAHE.

. Witnesses: V V g W. S. WARD,

C. P. JOHN.

five cents each, by addressing. the Commissioner of Patents, 'Washing'tomD. (3. f i 

